Numbers 5:4-14

4 So Israel obeyed the Lord's command and sent those people outside the camp. They did just as the Lord had told Moses.

5 The Lord said to Moses,

6 "Tell the Israelites: 'When a man or woman does something wrong to another person, that is really sinning against the Lord. That person is guilty

7 and must admit the wrong that has been done. The person must fully pay for the wrong that has been done, adding one-fifth to it, and giving it to the person who was wronged.

8 But if that person is dead and does not have any close relatives to receive the payment, the one who did wrong owes the Lord and must pay the priest. In addition, the priest must sacrifice a male sheep to remove the wrong so that the person will belong to the Lord.

9 When an Israelite brings a holy gift, it should be given to the priest.

10 No one has to give these holy gifts, but if someone does give them, they belong to the priest.'"

11 Then the Lord said to Moses,

12 "Tell the Israelites: 'A man's wife might be unfaithful to him

13 and have sexual relations with another man. Her sin might be kept hidden from her husband so that he does not know about the wrong she did. Perhaps no one saw it, and she wasn't caught.

14 But if her husband has feelings of jealousy and suspects she has sinned -- whether she has or not --

Numbers 5:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 5

This chapter contains a repetition of some former laws, concerning putting unclean persons out of the camp, Nu 5:1-4; making restitution in case of trespass against another, Nu 5:5-8; and of giving the offering of all holy things and all hallowed things to the priests, Nu 5:9,10; and a new law concerning jealousy, in a man, of his wife, Nu 5:11-14; when she was to be brought to the priest, and various rites and ceremonies to be used, Nu 5:15-23; who was to give her bitter water as a trial of her chastity, which, if guilty, would have a strange effect upon her, and make her accursed, but if not, would not affect her, and she would be free and happy, Nu 5:24-31.